Meaning of hangnail in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈhæŋˌneɪl/

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  1. Noun

    hangnail

    Etymology

    late 17th century: alteration of agnail ‘painful swelling around a nail’ (from Old Englishangnægl, denoting a corn on the toe), influenced by hang

    Definitions

    1. a loose narrow strip of skin near the base of a fingernail

    Examples

    • « tearing it produces a painful sore that is easily infected »

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